Biography/History

Dr. Mary E. Wharton (1912-1991) was a native of Jessamine County, Kentucky and longtime Lexington resident. Wharton was a Professor of Botany and the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Georgetown College during the period 1947-1974. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Dr. Wharton received her Ph.D from the University of Michigan in 1945. She was the author and coauthor of several books including
A Guide to Wildflowers & Ferns of Kentucky,
Trees & Shrubs of Kentucky,
The Horseworld of the Blue Grass,
Peach Leather and Rebel Gray, and
Bluegrass Land and Life. She was also one of the original founders of the Land and Nature Trust of the Bluegrass--an organization which she served as president and chairman of the board. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Wharton was involved in several environmental conflicts including an attempt by the Army Corp. of Engineers to dam the Red River Gorge, and a plan by the Department of Highways to widen Paris Pike. The 278 acre Mary E. Wharton Nature Sanctuary at Flora Cliff on the Kentucky River in southern Fayette County is named in her honor.

Scope and Content

The Mary E. Wharton papers (dated 1856-1993; 20.49 cubic feet; 52 boxes) consist of diaries, correspondence, notebooks, realia, photographs, and research files documenting the work of botanist Mary E. Wharton. Included in the Mary E. Wharton papers are family genealogical materials; the diaries of Mary's father Joseph F. Wharton and correspondence from her mother, Mary Davis Wharton, 1897-1947; publications and school papers, notebooks, a dissertation draft, etc. from Dr. Wharton's days at Hamilton College, Morehead State University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Michigan; Dr. Wharton's personal correspondence (1936-1991); and Georgetown College lecture notes, and examinations, etc. There are also field notes examining and detailing flora and fauna and plant distribution throughout Kentucky. Also included in the collection are notes and manuscript drafts pertaining to her publications on the horse industry, the Civil War in the Bluegrass, and on the history and physical features of the Bluegrass region. Other research notes, reports, correspondence and writings in the collection reflect her activism on behalf of the Red River Gorge (1967-1976), the Kentucky River navigation and water quality, endangered or threatened species(1969-1991), the future of Coldstream farm (1985-1991), and the expansion of the Paris Pike (1975-1991). The collection contains publications and correspondence on The Nature Conservancy and the Land and Nature Trust of the Bluegrass. In addition, the collection includes several hundred family photographs, images of Mary herself, sound recordings, post cards, and realia. Finally, present are Dr. Wharton's religious writings and publications, her Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution, and United Daughters of the Confederacy files, and tour guides, maps, and notes of her trips to Great Britain (1967-1982).

Subjects

University of Kentucky.

Photographs

Poems

Kentucky River (Ky.)

Red River Gorge (Ky.)

Wharton, Mary E., 1912-

Agriculture--United States--Photographs.

Botany.

Correspondence.

Genealogy.

Horse industry--Kentucky--History--19th century.

Literature

Memorabilia.

Postcards.

Women's and gender history

User Restrictions

Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.

Collection Inventory

Series I. Audio-Visual, 1904-1991

Scope and Content Note:

The Audio-Visual series includes photographs of family members and friends, plants and landscapes for dissertation and thesis material, and home interior images. The series also contains 3 cassette tapes of Dr. Elvis J. Stahr, a videotape regarding MEW Book, and postcards.

Subseries A. Photographs, 1904-1991, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The Photographs subseries includes images of family members and friends, plants and landscapes for dissertation and thesis material, and home interior images.

Wyoming, undated

Subseries C. Tapes, undated

Scope and Content Note:

MEW Book, undated

[Box: 48, Folder: 3]

Dr. Elvis J. Stahr, undated

3 items
[Box: 32]

Series II. Academics, 1930-1992

Scope and Content Note:

The Academics series contains college commencement programs, a variety of exams, syllabi, college research notes, school papers, and other college memorabilia such as a yearbook and college publications.

Field Geology Exams, undated

Biology, Natural Resources, and Genetics Exams, undated

The Hamiltonian - Hamilton College, undated

Hamilton College Yearbook -
The Columns, 1930

[Box: 17, Folder: 10]

Scrapbook on Ancient Greece, undated

[Box: 17, Folder: 11]

School Papers, undated

[Box: 17, Folder: 12]

Series III. Correspondence, 1897-1991

Scope and Content Note:

The Correspondence series consists of personal letters from friends and family, past students, Christmas cards, and birthday cards. Also included is correspondence between Raymond Athey and other individuals and institutions concerning the preservation of lands important for the study of plant life; correspondence regarding Helmuth Scherer's dismissal from the University of Kentucky Medical School, the financial help Scherer received with the Rural Kentucky Scholarship Fund, and Scherer's financial difficulties; correspondence pertaining to different aspects of business such as property purchases, research inquiries and requests, notices of meetings, and letters of gratitude for various contributions; and finally, correspondence regarding travel abroad such as itinerary information, upcoming events, and hotel arrangements.

1967-1970

1971-1974

1975-1979

1980-1985

1986-1987

1988

1989

1990-1991

[Box: 5, Folder: 4]

undated

[Box: 5, Folder: 5]

Raymond Athey, 1974

[Box: 5, Folder: 6]

Helmuth Scherer, 1963-1964

[Box: 5, Folder: 7]

Subseries B. Business, 1923-1991

Scope and Content Note:

The Business subseries includes correspondence pertaining to different aspects of business such as property purchases, research inquiries and requests, botany research and work, notices of meetings, and letters of gratitude for various contributions.

Subseries C. Travel Abroad, 1965-1985

Scope and Content Note:

1965-1968

[Box: 5, Folder: 11]

1983-1985

[Box: 5, Folder: 12]

Series IV. Literary Works, 1873-1990

Scope and Content Note:

The Literary Works series consists of works written by Mary Wharton and/or members of the Wharton/Davis family, including poems, stories, and article. Included are two books written by Mary Wharton, one which focuses on the wildlife and land in the state of Kentucky, and the other focuses on life in Kentucky during the Civil War.

Subseries A. General, 1873-1990

Scope and Content Note:

The General subseries consists of poems, stories, and articles written mainly by Mary Wharton. Additional poems and stories are written by members of the Wharton/Davis family.

Poems and Stories by Wharton/Davis family, 1947; undated

[Box: 13, Folder: 1]

"Recollections of Twenty-Seven Years on the Georgetown College Faculty", undated

[Box: 13, Folder: 2]

"To Meet Life's Problems and Live Victoriously", undated

[Box: 13, Folder: 3]

Articles, 1986-1990

[Box: 13, Folder: 4]

Poems and Quips, 1932-1943; undated

[Box: 13, Folder: 5]

Book of Poems, Pressed Plants, 1873

[Box: 13, Folder: 6]

Bibliography, 1961, 1978, undated

[Box: 13, Folder: 7]

"Epilogue" (regarding horse farms), 1941-1979

[Box: 13, Folder: 8]

"The Flora of Woodford County, Kentucky" by Ellwood J. Carr, undated

[Box: 25, Folder: 1]

"The Literature of Botany: A Selective Bibliography" by George H.M. Lawrence, June 1968

The National Society of Magna Charta Dames, 1965-1987, undated

Sigma Xi Society, 1937-1954

National Society of United States Daughters of 1812, 1972 July 21

The Kentucky Society of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, 1967, undated

[Box: 36, Folder: 11, Box: 9, Folder: 9]

National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars, undated

[Box: 36, Folder: 12]

The Society Daughters of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 1980-1983

[Box: 9, Folder: 8]

Series VI. Red River Gorge, 1954-1976

Scope and Content Note:

The Red River Gorge series includes statements, reports, proposals, and correspondence regarding the Red River Gorge and issues such as the environmental quality of the area, flood control, general recreation, water supply, and fish and wildlife recreation. Also contains proposals, testimony, maps, brochures, and petitions concerning Red River Gorge.

Red River Reconnaissance Study, 1968 March

[Box: 42, Folder: 4]

Report of the Panel on Ecology and the Environment to the National Water Commission, 1969

[Box: 42, Folder: 5]

Red River Gorge Management Direction, 1972 January

[Box: 42, Folder: 6]

Final Environmental Impact Statement, 1974 January

[Box: 42, Folder: 7]

Response to Comments by the Council on Environmental Quality, Volumes I and II, 1974

[Box: 43, Folder: 1]

Final Environmental Statement For Management of the Red River Gorge Unit, 1974 May

[Box: 43, Folder: 2]

Council on Environmental Quality, 1975 January 24

[Box: 43, Folder: 3]

Special Report Water Supply Alternatives to Red River Lake, 1976

[Box: 43, Folder: 4]

Reports by the Water Pollution Control Commission, undated

[Box: 43, Folder: 5]

American Association for the Advancement of Science Council Material, 1967-1969, undated

[Box: 43, Folder: 6]

Statements and Reports Opposing the Construction of the Red River Dam, 1967-1974, undated

[Box: 43, Folder: 8]

Statements and Reports, 1973-1975, undated

[Box: 43, Folder: 9]

Senate Hearing Correspondence, 1968-1969

[Box: 43, Folder: 10]

Correspondence, 1968-1972, undated

[Box: 43, Folder: 11]

Statement Presented to the Senate Subcommittee on Public Works Appropriations Concerning Red River Dam, 1968-1975, undated

[Box: 44, Folder: 1]

Brochures for Workshops and Field Trips, 1968-1969

[Box: 44, Folder: 2]

A Preliminary Survey of the Vascular Flora of the Red River Gorge of Kentucky - A Thesis by Paul Daniel Higgins, 1970 August

[Box: 44, Folder: 3]

A List of Exterminated, Rare and Endangered Plant Species of the Red River Gorge, undated

[Box: 44, Folder: 4]

Brochures, 1954, undated

[Box: 44, Folder: 5]

Maps, undated

[Box: 44, Folder: 6]

Series VII. Research, 1877-1993

Scope and Content Note:

The Research series contains Mary Wharton's research on genealogy, the horse industry, Kentucky, and botany.

Subseries A. General, 1928-1991, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The General subseries includes Wharton's research on miscellaneous topics.

Evolution and Religion research notes, 1950-1990, undated

[Box: 11, Folder: 15]

Lace research notes, undated

[Box: 10, Folder: 16]

Research notes, undated

[Box: 13, Folder: 10-11]

List of Books Used for Research, undated

[Box: 34, Folder: 1]

Articles and Research notes, 1978 September, undated

[Box: 34, Folder: 6]

Research notes and Papers, undated

[Box: 34, Folder: 13-14]

Your Bird Friends and How to Win Them, 1928

[Box: 7, Folder: 7]

Transactions of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 1974-1991

[Box: 9, Folder: 6]

Bios, 1975-1976

[Box: 9, Folder: 7]

Subseries B. Genealogy, 1953-1990

Scope and Content Note:

The Genealogy subseries contains charts, family trees, notes and correspondence regarding genealogical research, which traces several different family lines from overseas and the United States.

Boston and Hufford Family, 1970-1979, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 1]

British Line-Family Pages, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 2]

British Line-Douglas and Chilton Families, 1965 July 22, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 3]

British Line-Morgan and Somerset Families, 1971 September 12, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 4]

British Line-Charts and Genealogical Tables, 1966, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 5]

British Line-Research Notes, 1976, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 6]

Books and Genealogical Sources, 1965-1983, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 7]

Kentucky ancestors, 1970-1983, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 8]

Genealogical notes and charts, 1975-1990, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 9]

Genealogical notes, 1970-1971, undated

[Box: 40, Folder: 10, Box: 41, Folder: 1-2]

The Virginia Clevelands and their descendants, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 3]

Cleveland family, 1974 January 22, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 4]

Copy of Letter Written by Oliver Cleveland regarding family and ancestry, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 5]

William Cleveland and Margaret Wilson descendants, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 6]

Levi Cleveland's descendants, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 7]

George Cleveland line, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 8]

Eva Cleveland Snelson letter concerning ancestry, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 9]

John Cleveland of Harrison County and Sarah Cleveland of Boston, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 10]

George and John Cleveland-Relationship and Ancestry, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 11]

John Hazelrigg and Anne Cleveland descendants, 1973

[Box: 41, Folder: 12]

George Cleveland descendants, 1973 August 3

[Box: 41, Folder: 13]

Moses Cleveland family line, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 14]

Eli Cleveland descendants and property, 1981 August 1

[Box: 41, Folder: 15]

Eli Cleveland and Joseph and Jeremiah Rogers, 1989 July 22, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 16]

Family Name of Wharton, 1971 January 26, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 17]

Cleveland Ancestor Chart and Research notes, 1980 August 21, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 18]

Dearinger descendants, 1980-1983, undated

[Box: 41, Folder: 19]

Yowell and Chilton families, undated

[Box: 42, Folder: 1]

Family Trees and Research notes, 1953-1979, undated

[Box: 42, Folder: 2]

Lindsay family line, 1970-1971, undated

[Box: 42, Folder: 3]

Subseries C. Horse Industry, 1943-1981

Scope and Content Note:

The Horse Industry subseries contains research notes, records, statistics, articles, and reports on the horse industry, various types of horses, and horse farms. Included is information on the history of the horse industry and horse farms in Kentucky.

Spring Hill, Pin Oak, etc., research notes, 1980, undated

Linden Lane House, research notes, 1981, undated

History of Castleton Farm, 1978, undated

Breckinridge family and Early History of Cabell's Dale and Castleton, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 7]

Research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 8]

Robert Alexander, research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 9]

Calumet Farm, research notes, 1978, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 10]

Russell Cave Pike Farms, research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 11]

Walnut Hall, research notes, 1978 June 26, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 11]

Mill on Elkhorn (Paris Pike), research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 12]

Paris Pike farms and families, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 13]

Paris Pike families, research notes, 1981 April 18, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 14]

Clay families, research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 15]

Henry Knight and family, research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 16]

John Howard, research notes, undated

[Box: 38, Folder: 17]

Paris Pike farms, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 1]

Bourbon and Woodford County Horse Farms, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 2]

Horses, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 3]

20th Century Horses and Horsemen, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 4]

Saddle Horses, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 5]

Early Kentucky Horses and Horsemen, research notes, 1943, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 6]

Horses and Livestock in Kentucky, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 7]

Kentucky Horses and Horse Farms, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 8]

Paris Pike, research notes, 1977 March 8, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 9]

Kentucky Horses, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 10]

Horses and Farms, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 11]

Thoroughbred Industry in Kentucky, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 12]

Spendthrift Farm, research notes, undated

[Box: 39, Folder: 13]

The Saddlebred, undated

[Box: 7, Folder: 12]

Kentucky Horse Farms, 1976 April

[Box: 7, Folder: 13]

Gainesway Stallions, 1980

[Box: 7, Folder: 14]

Leslie Combs II Spendthrift, 1979

[Box: 8, Folder: 9]

Stoner Creek Stud, 1980

[Box: 8, Folder: 10]

A Fact Book on the Kentucky Thoroughbred Industry, 1989

[Box: 8, Folder: 11]

Subseries D. Kentucky, 1877-1993

Scope and Content Note:

The Kentucky subseries includes documents such as research notes, reports, and statements on environmental, developmental, and conservation issues in Kentucky. Also included are reports, surveys, and maps pertaining to a group called Bluegrass Tomorrow. There are reports and studies regarding the Kentucky River and Paris Pike. Included are Kentucky maps, brochures, and an atlas of Woodford County.

Subseries i. General, 1877-1991, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The General subseries contains research notes ranging from Kentucky architecture, and the Civil War to cattle and stockmen. There are research notes, reports, and statements on various environmental, developmental, and conservation issues in Kentucky as well as reports and statements regarding various industries in the Kentucky area such as the Toyota Plant. Also contains Kentucky maps, brochures, and an atlas of the Woodford County area.

Research Notes on Kentucky's Participation in the Civil War, undated

Research Notes on Cattle and Stockmen in Kentucky, 1979, undated

Research Notes on Kentucky Architecture, undated

[Box: 46, Folder: 6]

Scott County Historic Motor Tours, undated

[Box: 46, Folder: 7]

Kentucky Maps, undated

[Box: 46, Folder: 7]

Subseries ii. Bluegrass Tomorrow, 1990-1991, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The Bluegrass Tomorrow subseries contains reports, surveys, maps, articles, and correspondence by members, consultants, and focus groups of Bluegrass Tomorrow in which they address issues regarding future developments of Bluegrass landscape as well as its preservation.

Critical Issues Interim Report, 1991 May 21

Survey, 1991 May

Draft of Chapter 5 Critical Issues Report, 1991 June 18

Draft of Crititical Issues For The Future, undated

[Box: 46, Folder: 12]

Reports, Maps, Correspondence, Articles, 1990, undated

[Box: 46, Folder: 13]

Subseries iii. Kentucky River, 1975-1991, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The Kentucky River subseries contains reports, studies, statements, and correspondence regarding Kentucky River water supply issues and needs, environmental issues pertaining to the Kentucky River, and problems and solutions dealing with pollution.

Review of Problems With Locks and Dams, undated

Article -
Watering the Bluegrass, 1989

Cliff Count, undated

[Box: 48, Folder: 4]

Subseries iv. Paris Pike, 1973-1993, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The Paris Pike subseries includes correspondence, research notes, newsletters, reports, and statements on the development of new roadways in the area and ways to improve the cultural, historical, scenic and economic resources in the area.

Paris Pike Design Task Force Minutes, 1991 July

Maps and Census Figures, undated

Statement in Opposition to the Race Track as Proposed by the Kentucky Turf Club, undated

[Box: 22, Folder: 13]

Court Notices, Motions, Hearings, and Orders, 1990-1991, undated

[Box: 24, Folder: 12]

Reports on the Environmental Impact Statement, 1990-1991, undated

[Box: 24, Folder: 13]

Report of the 1992/1993 Paris Pike Committee, 1993 March 8

[Box: 25, Folder: 11]

Memorandum of Agreement from the Federal Highway Administration, 1991

[Box: 28, Folder: 1]

Agreements and Correspondence, 1993

[Box: 28, Folder: 2]

Statements, Reports, and Studies on the Lexington-Paris Road Project, 1975-1990

[Box: 28, Folder: 3]

Studies and Memorandums on Paris Pike Alternative, 1991, undated

[Box: 28, Folder: 4]

Research notes, 1975, undated

[Box: 28, Folder: 5]

Paris Pike Study Committee - Bluegrass Tomorrow, undated

[Box: 28, Folder: 6-7]

Subseries E. Botany, 1929-1989

Scope and Content Note:

The Botany subseries contains a variety of documents pertaining to the study of botany and the preservation of plant species in Kentucky. Contains maps of different regions in Kentucky illustrating the plants that populate the different regions. There are educational keys that provide detailed descriptions of different plant species and what they consist of. Also there is a small collection of plant species and an Environmental Resource Inventory on a six-county area that focuses on Fayette County and lists the different plant species in the focused areas. There are also various research notes and articles regarding botany, lists of plants and endangered flora in Kentucky, notes on different publications on botany, maps, ect.

Subseries i. General, 1941-1989, undated

Scope and Content Note:

Various research notes and articles regarding botany, lists of plants in Kentucky, lists of endangered flora in Kentucky, notes on different publications regarding botany, maps, ect.

County Records with List of Plant Distribution, undated

[Box: 23, Folder: 1]

Scope and Content Note:

Soil Notes, undated

[Box: 23, Folder: 2]

List of Plants in Kentucky, undated

[Box: 23, Folder: 3]

Research Notes, undated

[Box: 23, Folder: 4]

Notes and Articles on the Geology of Kentucky, undated

[Box: 23, Folder: 5]

Current Research in Kentucky Botany and Microbiology, 1979

[Box: 23, Folder: 6]

Research Notes on Vegetation in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, undated

Subseries B. Know Your Bluegrass Region Tours, 1982-1987

Scope and Content Note:

General Introduction and Maps, 1982

[Box: 35, Folder: 6]

Guides and Announcements, 1982-1987

[Box: 35, Folder: 7]

Series X. Wharton/Davis Family, 1856-1993

Scope and Content Note:

The Wharton/Davis family series contains personal items that belonged to Mary Wharton and members of her family, including diaries, address books, monthly calendars, research notes, birth certificates, report cards, books, brochures, obituaries, and funeral notices.

Subseries A. General, 1856-1962

Scope and Content Note:

The General subseries features more broadly items belonging to members of Mary Wharton's family such as books, monthly planners and diaries, business receipts, obituaries and funeral notices, and calling cards.